Move over, Ritz: this is the European hotel everyone should have on their bucket list

W Hotel dates back to 1872 when it opened as the Grand Europa Hotel. It was given an art nouveau makeover in 1905 and reached new heights in the 1920s when entrepreneur Karel Sroubek turned it into one of the most luxurious hotels in Central Europe. After sadly becoming more of a two-star establishment over the years, the hotel has been brought back to life in five-star W Hotel style and has been turning heads since it reopened its doors in November 2024.

Right in the commercial and cultural hub of Wenceslas Square, the hotel has theatres, cinemas, restaurants and shops on its doorstep, and is an easy stroll to the Charles Bridge, the Astronomical Clock and other Prague highlights.

Old-school glamour with a W wink. Architects and designers have tapped into Sroubek's opulent days while creating a space that feels very now. Prague's history includes a fascination with alchemy which helped to inspire golden touches throughout the hotel. Collaborations with Czech artisans and brands include premium handblown bohemian glassware company KLIMCHI, which has its first boutique store in the lobby, and a stunning crystal chandelier symbolising bohemian heritage.

The W Prague has 161 rooms, including 23 suites that range from a 27-square-metre Cozy Bohemia King to the 96-square-metre Wow Bohemia Duplex suite. I'm staying in a Wonderful King where my king bed is just that and where I have a wow moment when I open what I assume is a wardrobe to find a mirrored mini bar with everything from cocktail ingredients to facial mists by Czech skincare brand Smyssly. While it shouldn't be so rare it's worth noting, here the master switch beside the bed turns off all the lights and lamps with one flick before motion sensor lights help guide you to the loo in the night and turn off again after 30 seconds of no movement.

Stepping into Le Petit Beefbar au Grand Cafe (formerly called just the Grand Cafe) I can almost hear the champagne flutes clinking a hundred years ago as 1920s European socialites gathered in Prague to party the night away. These days the venue is an upscale steakhouse where dishes include a 200g Japanese Wagyu striploin for 2850 CZK ($194) and an Ultimate Beef Smash Burger for 510 CZK. For more casual bites you can order share plates in the W Lounge and charcoal grill dishes at the Above Rooftop. And when Le Petit Beefbar au Grand Cafe is in breakfast mode there's buffet and a la carte options including poached egg shakshuka and pistachio cream pancakes.

The Above Rooftop is a hot spot to be in Prague and when I arrive on a Sunday afternoon there's a party in full swing with DJs playing to a packed dance floor with sweeping Prague skyline views. Downstairs at Minus One it's all about premium cocktails in a beautiful space that includes some of the Grand Europa's original features.

I never thought I'd feel snow falling on my face in a basement in Prague but the All Seasons Water Experience at the hotel's glorious Away Spa is one big happy surprise. As I walk through the different seasons starting with Spring, the water features change in design and temperature with different seasonal scents activated along the journey, before I finish by standing under gently falling winter snow.

The writer was a guest of the hotel